Using Low Levels of Seawater to Enhance Growth and Development of Date Palm Embryogenic Cultures

Salinity is generally investigated as a stress factor for growth, but not utilized for improving or increasing growth and development of in vitro plants. Salinity tolerated plants may generally resist or need low level of saline for their growth and development. These plants such as date palm can be growth promoted by incubating in low salinity level medium. This research investigated the level of salinity that could improve growth and development of embryogenic cultures of date palm cv. Malkaby. The effect of seawater levels (0.0, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 ppm.) were examined on callus fresh weight, number of secondary embryos, germinated embryos and leaves. In addition, percentage of rooting, root number, root length and root thickness were determined. Seawater at the level of 500 and 1000 ppm. enhanced callus fresh weight. However, 1500 ppm. achieved the highest number of secondary somatic embryos, germinated embryos, root percentage and root number. Leaf chlorophyll a, b and carotinoide, total indols, phenols, sugars and proline content of resulted plantlets could explain the results obtained.